Hughes wants to build on clean sheet

The Yeltz played out a goalless draw with Hitchin last weekend to end a run of five successive defeats.

Tomorrow they travel to Dales Lane where they will take on a Rushall side who have won their last five matches.

But while his team are currently second bottom of the Southern Central league, five points adrift of safety, Hughes is adamant they can stay up this year.

To do it though, the boss said the result against Hitchin has to be the start of a positive run of form.

“The clean sheet last weekend was massive for us,” he said.

“We’d been conceding goals but we managed to keep a clean sheet against a team who have lost just one of their last seven. We now have to build on that.

“Rushall is going to be a tough game. I watched them against Rushden & Diamonds on Monday so we know their strengths and weaknesses. But the lads have trained really well. They are sharp. And we have strengthened with the signing of Aaron Birch this week.

“He’s a box-to-box midfielder who went to school in Halesowen.

“We want to bring in local players who really care about the club And Aaron was desperate to join.”

Rushall boss Liam McDonald is expecting a keenly-contested derby.

But he believes his side will win if they maintain their recent form.

“With games running out, Halesowen will come here knowing they have to beat us,” he said.

“When teams are in that situation, players tend to put in that bit extra and with it also being a local derby, I am expecting it to be one of our toughest games for a while.

“That said, we have worked hard on our game plan this week and we’re ready for the challenge that stands before us. My players are determined to win games of football and extend our winning run.

“We know if we perform as we have done over the past five games, we will give ourselves every chance of getting another positive result.”

Before kick-off, there will be a minute’s applause in honour Ernie Lee Allen-Bryan, the grandson of Rushall chairman John Allen who died aged just five months.

Elsewhere in the division, Stourbridge take on Redditch.

In the Northern Premier division, Hednesford play their first match since a consortium involving fans and businessmen agreed to help owner Steve Price with the running of the club.

They host Nantwich while division rivals Stafford Rangers travel to take on Farsley Celtic.

In Northern One West, Chasetown take on Ramsbottom. In National League North, Kidderminster Harriers host Spennymoor.